The government's decision to cap the payouts under the fee reimbursement scheme sparked protests from student organisations in the city. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists tried to force their way into ministers' quarters at Banjara Hills to demonstrate their protest but were stopped in their tracks. Police took several students into preventive custody but set them free later.
On the Osmania University campus, student activists of various backward class unions staged a protest against the government's decision. They threatened to lay siege to the residences of ministers if the decision was not withdrawn.
The Telangana Vidyarthi Ikya Vedika (TVIV) also condemned the government decision. ``The government is increasing the salaries of MLAs and ministers but says it is unable to bear the burden of the fee reimbursement scheme,'' the TVIV said.